Recent studies have reported significant atrophy of the corpus callosum (CC) in Alzheimer's Disease (AD). However, it is currently unknown whether CC atrophy is associated with specific cortical volume changes in AD. Moreover, possible atrophy in extra-callosal commissures has not been examined to date. The purpose of the present study was to quantify atrophy in two cerebral commissures [the CC and the anterior commissure (AC)], to correlate this measure with cognitive status, and to relate commissural size to independent measures of temporal lobe volume in AD patients.

A sample of AD patients and of age- and education-matched normal control subjects (NCs) underwent MRI and a cognitive test battery including the Dementia Rating Scale and Mini Mental State examination. Mid-sagittal regional areas within CC and AC were measured along with superior, middle and inferior temporal lobes volumes.

Alzheimer's Disease patients had significantly smaller callosa than did NCs. The callosal regions most affected in AD included the midbody, isthmus and genu. The isthmus and midbody areas of the CC were positively correlated with cognitive performance and with superior temporal lobe volume in AD patients. The mid-sagittal area of the AC and the superior temporal volumes did not differ between AD patients and NCs.

The study demonstrated that the regional morphology of the CC correlates with current cognitive status and temporal lobe atrophy in AD. As well, the lack of difference for the AC suggests that commissural atrophy in AD is regionally specific.

The American Heart Association carotid endarterectomy (CE) guidelines endorse CE for asymptomatic carotid stenosis if the procedure can be performed with low morbidity. However, the Canadian Stroke Consortium has published a consensus against CE for asymptomatic stenosis. The views of practicing neurologists in the two countries on this subject are unclear.

A survey was undertaken of 270 neurologists from either Florida or Indiana and 180 neurologists from either Ontario or Quebec.

The survey was returned by 36% of neurologists. Both Florida (65%) and Indiana neurologists (35%) were significantly more likely than Canadian neurologists (11%) to sometimes/often refer patients for surgery(p<0.001). Neurologists from Florida relied more on noninvasive methods of carotid stenosis assessment (36%) than Canadian neurologists (12%, p=0.003), who preferred angiography. Neurologists from Florida more often cited medicolegal concerns as a reason for referring patients for surgery (27%), compared to Canadian neurologists (3%, p=0.0001).

Practices pertaining to carotid stenosis evaluation and management differ both regionally and by country. Canadian neurologists refer fewer asymptomatic patients for CE and rely more on angiography as a preoperative diagnostic tool. The potential of medicolegal liability is a greater force in clinical decision-making for certain U.S. neurologists, compared to their Canadian counterparts. These differences may partly explain the variations in CE utilization in the two countries.

The goal of this study was to compare the relative contributions from the muscle and the central nervous system to muscle fatigue resistance in aging.

Each subject carried out 90 s of sustained maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) of the thumb using the thenar and forearm thumb muscles. Contractile capacity of the thenar muscles was assessed through tetanic stimulation of the median nerve. Interpolated doublets delivered during an MVC represented the overall voluntary activation level while transcranial cortical stimulation with an electromagnetic stimulator was used to assess motor output upstream from the corticomotoneuronal pathway.

Nine elderly subjects [four females and five males, 70±9 years old (mean±SD)] and 10 younger subjects (five females and five males, 30±6 years old) were tested. After the fatiguing exercise, the elderly group's MVC declined by 29% as opposed to 47% in the younger group (p<0.01). The elderly group's greater fatigue resistance was accounted for by increased fatigue resistance at the muscle level as well as in the central nervous system. At least some of the decline in the central motor drive was upstream from the corticomotoneuronal pathway.

The higher muscle fatigue resistance in the elderly group was attributable to differences in both the peripheral and central nervous systems.

Patients with stroke commonly undergo investigations to determine the underlying cause of stroke. These investigations often include ambulatory electrocardiography to detect paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. There is conflicting evidence in the literature regarding whether routine ambulatory electrocardiography should be performed in all or selected stroke patients. This paper reviews the available evidence on (1) the yield of ambulatory electrocardiography in detecting paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in patients with stroke or transient ischemic attack and (2) the effectiveness of anticoagulation in preventing recurrent stroke in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

A MEDLINE search for primary articles was performed, and the references were reviewed manually. In addition, citations were obtained from experts. The evidence was systematically reviewed using the evidence-based methodology of the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care.

Ambulatory electrocardiography can detect atrial fibrillation not found on initial electrocardiogram in between 1% and 5 % of people with stroke. Ambulatory electrocardiography is generally safe. The risk of recurrent stroke in the setting of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is uncertain, but appears to be similar to that seen with chronic atrial fibrillation (about 12% per year). Therapy with warfarin may reduce this risk by about two-thirds as compared to placebo. The annual risk of major bleeding with warfarin therapy is between 1% and 3% but rates for individual patients depend on various specific risk factors.

There is insufficient evidence to recommend for or against the use of ambulatory electrocardiography for the detection of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in either selected or unselected patients with stroke (C Recommendation). There is fair evidence to recommend therapy with warfarin for patients with stroke and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (B Recommendation).

A preliminary national survey of ischemic stroke in the young (15-45 years) undertaken by the Canadian Stroke Consortium indicated that in 44% of 356 patients, no cause was found.

To determine the reason for this high incidence of diagnostic uncertainty in young patients with ischemic stroke.

Neurologists in the ten Canadian stroke centers completed a detailed questionnaire for patients aged 15-45 years admitted to hospital between January 1993 and December 1997. Using a step-wise diagnostic algorithm incorporating clinical, neuroimaging, neurovascular and laboratory data, we divided patients into three groups: (1) those with established cause for the ischemic stroke, (2) those who remained unexplained despite adequate investigation, (3) those who remained unexplained but were, in our opinion, under-investigated.

In 197 patients (56%), an identified cause was established including cardioembolic sources (14%), extracranial arterial dissection (13%), lacunar infarcts (8%) atherosclerosis (6%). A miscellaneous group of 15%, included cerebral venous thrombosis, coagulopathies, vasculitis and others. In 159 patients (44%) with no apparent cause for their stroke, we considered only 81 (23%) adequately investigated, and 78 (21%) inadequately investigated.

About one in five young patients was inadequately investigated by a stroke-oriented group of neurologists. The major problem appears to be restriction of investigations to neuroimaging alone (usually computerized cerebral tomography), without further tests such as cerebral angiography and cardiac imaging.

To evaluate the role of stereotactic cyst aspiration in the context of multimodality management of cystic glial and metastatic tumors, we retrospectively reviewed our experience with 38 patients during a 10-year interval.

All 38 patients had one or more computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging guided stereotactic cyst aspirations. Twenty-seven patients had glial neoplasms and 11 had metastatic brain tumors. Twenty-two patients underwent cyst aspiration as the initial treatment modality while 15 patients had cyst aspiration following previous treatments.

In the immediate postoperative period, 19 of the 27 (70%) patients with gliomas and nine of the 11 (82%) patients with metastatic tumors experienced symptomatic improvement. No procedure-related morbidity was encountered. Twelve patients (31.5%) eventually required a catheter-reservoir system. Thirty-seven percent of patients with cystic glial neoplasms and 18% of patients with metastatic tumors had delayed cytoreductive surgery by craniotomy subsequent to stereotactic cyst aspiration. Reduction in tumor volume following aspiration facilitated Gamma knife radiosurgery in seven patients.

Single stereotactic aspiration is a low risk procedure that provides immediate relief of symptoms in patients with cystic brain tumors. It appears to be valuable together with the use of other therapeutic strategies.

The authors studied the clinical and neuroimaging features of cerebellar hematomas to predict poor outcome using comprehensive statistical models.

We retrospectively reviewed clinical and neuroimaging features in 94 patients with spontaneous cerebellar hematomas to identify predictive features for a poor neurologic outcome, defined as death or dismissal to long-term care facility. Data were analyzed using chi square and Fisher's exact test with calculation of odd's ratios together with 95% confidence intervals.

Clinical and neuroradiologic predictors for a poor outcome at p < 0.05 were admission systolic blood pressure > 200 mm Hg, hematoma size >3cm, visible brain stem distortion, and acute hydrocephalus. Presenting findings predicting subsequent death at p < 0.05 were abnormal corneal and oculocephalic responses, Glasgow coma sum score less than 8, motor response less than localization to pain, acute hydrocephalus and intraventricular hemorrhage.

A tree-based analysis model using binary recursive partitioning showed that cornea reflex, hydrocephalus, doll's eyes, age, and size were the most important discriminating factors. Absent corneal reflexes on admission highly predicts poor outcome (86 percent, confidence limits 67-96 percent). When a cornea reflex is present, acute hydrocephalus predicts poor outcome but only when doll's eyes are additionally absent.

There are presently 26 different generic preparations for five brand name antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) on the Canadian market with others likely to be released in the near future. The purpose of this review is to examine the basis for the controversy surrounding generic substitution for brand name antiepileptic drugs, to present the results of a survey of neurologists' and patients' attitudes toward generic substitution and to increase neurologists'awareness of the issues.

The current federal and provincial regulations pertaining to generic drug approval and substitution are reviewed. Published anecdotal and survey reports of the effectiveness and tolerability of generic substitution for AEDs are reviewed. A pilot questionnaire survey of 83 patients from four adult epilepsy clinics and 46 neurologists from across Canada was undertaken to determine attitudes toward generic substitution.

Several authors have suggested that some AEDs, particularly those with a narrow therapeutic index, may pose problems with generic substitution. Although generic AEDs are lower in price, possible increased side effects and morbidity and the need for closer monitoring could partially offset the cost savings. The results of our survey highlight significant unawareness of the process of generic substitution among both patients and neurologists and reveal a general level of discomfort among neurologists to prescribe generic AEDs. Further data should be obtained about the potential consequences of generic substitution in epilepsy patients.

There have been many reports of percutaneous radiofrequency facet rhizotomy, perhaps better referred to as facet denervation, usually performed under general anaesthesia, with inconsistent success rates.

To report the authors' outcome data using both general and local anaesthesia and to reassess the value of this controversial procedure.

Our experience with 118 consecutive percutaneous radiofrequency facet rhizotomies performed on 90 patients in the Toronto Western Hospital was analyzed. Sixty percent of the procedures were performed under general anaesthesia, 40% under local anaesthesia. All patients had been temporarily virtually relieved of pain after local anaesthetic blockade of the subject facets by an independent radiologist.

The patients were monitored from 1 - 33 (mean 5.6) months after surgery, with complete elimination or a greater than 50% subjective reduction of pain considered the criteria for success. For the first or only procedure this was 41% overall, 37% in cases done under local anaesthesia, 46% in cases done under general anaesthesia (difference not statistically significant p=0.52). There was no statistically significant difference in success rates for procedures performed in the cervical, thoracic or lumbosacral facets, with unilateral versus bilateral denervations, when two to three as compared with more than three facets were denervated, nor for operations done in patients who had had previous spinal surgery compared with those who had not. Results were not better regardless of whether hyperextension of the spine aggravated the patient's preoperative pain or not, and when the procedures were repeated in the same patient outcomes tended to be consistent, arguing against repetition of failed facet denervations. The morbidity was low, the chief problem being sensory loss and transient neuropathic pain in the distribution of cutaneous branches of posterior rami in the cervical and thoracic areas; mortality was zero.

Percutaneous radiofrequency facet denervation is simple and safe, still worth considering in patients with disabling spinal pain that fails to respond to conservative treatment. The use of general anaesthesia shortens the operating time and the patient's discomfort without impairing success rate.

During the pallidotomy procedure, is pre-operative localization with MRI more accurate than CT and does it result in a significant difference in surgical outcome?

Twenty-four Parkinson's Disease patients received a unilateral pallidotomy for their motor symptoms. Dyskinesia was scored pre- and six weeks postoperatively. All patients had a pre-operative CT scan and MRI to calculate the target co-ordinates. Patients were then randomly selected to proceed with either the CT or MRI coordinates. The final position for the lesion was determined with intraoperative macrostimulation and impedance measurements. The percentage improvement of dyskinesia was noted for each patient and the two groups compared by the Mann-Whitney test. The distance from the final target to the MRI and CT pre-operative co-ordinates were calculated for each patient. The mean distance for each modality was then compared by Student's t-test. The number of electrode repositionings was also recorded for each patient and the two groups compared by the nonparametric Mann-Whitney test.

Although the MRI co-ordinates were significantly (p<0.023) closer to the final target, this did not translate into a significant reduction in electrode repositionings. There was no significant difference in the improvement in dyskinesia between the two groups.

The pre-operative MRI co-ordinates were significantly (p=0.023) closer to the final target than those from the CT. The potential advantages and disadvantages of both imaging modalities are reviewed. There was no significant difference in surgical outcome using either MRI or CT for pre-operative localization in pallidotomy.

Electromyography (EMG) is a widely used diagnostic technique for disorders of the nervous system. The Canadian Society of Clinical Neurophysiologists (CSCN) promotes the education, evaluation and standards of EMG in Canada. A statement of practice standards was needed to clarify the position of the CSCN on several issues relevant to the practice of EMG.

A subcommittee of the CSCN reviewed current patterns of practice and established guidelines for review by the CSCN. The guidelines developed by the subcommittee were reviewed by the CSCN and adopted as recommendations for EMG practice. The subcommittee was charged with formulation of a document for publication.

This document deals with minimum standards for electromyographer education, laboratory operation, equipment and a variety of special circumstances relevant to the practice of EMG. The standards can be adopted by EMG laboratories to guide quality assurance.

Internal carotid artery dissection has been extensively studied and well-described. Although there has been a recent increase in the number of reported cases of vertebral artery (VA) dissection, the clinical variety of presentation and the early warning symptoms have not been well-described before. Our objectives in this study include: (1) To determine the early symptoms and warning signs which may help the clinician in the early identification and treatment of patients with VAdissection. (2) To explore the variety of clinical presentation of VA dissection and its relation to prognosis.

Retrospective analysis of hospital records in a tertiary academic centre for the period 1989-1999.

Twenty-six patients were identified (13 men and 13 women). The mean age was 48. Possible precipitating factors were identified in 14 patients (53%). Sporting activity and chiropractic manipulations were the most common (15% and 11% respectively). Headache and/or neck pain was the prominent feature in 88% of patients and was a warning sign in 53%, preceding onset of stroke by up to 14 days. The most common clinical features included vertigo (57%), unilateral facial paresthesia (46%), cerebellar signs (33%), lateral medullary signs (26%) and visual field defects (15%). Bilateral VA dissection presented in six patients (24%). The most common region of dissection was the C1-C2 level (16 arteries, 51%). Intracranial VAdissection was found in eight arteries (25%). The majority of patients (83%) had favorable outcome. Poor prognosis was associated with (1) bilateral dissection; (2) intracranial VA dissection accompanied by subarachnoid hemorrhage. Only two patients reported stroke recurrence.

Our findings show that VA dissection affects mainly middle age persons and involves both sexes equally. Headache and/or neck pain followed by vertigo or unilateral facial paresthesia is an important warning sign that may precede onset of stroke by several days. Although the majority of patients will have excellent prognosis, this was less likely in patients presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage or bilateral VA dissection. Recurrence rate was low.

To describe simple modifications of the technique of opening and closure of the craniotomy to improve basal exposure and reconstruction.

The modifications involve: a) additional soft-tissue dissection which is carried downward to the base of the ear and to the orbital rim, exposing the orbital rim and malar eminence without removing the bone; b) cutting the bone flap so that ‘bridges’ of bone remain that help to stabilize the flap when it is returned to the cranium at the end of the operation; c) the wedging of bone chips between the bone flap and native cranium at the time the bone is being reaffixed so as to provide firm stability by diminishing movement of the bone flap; d) the use of bone dust and bone chips mixed with the patient's blood to seal and bridge the gap between the bone flap and the native bone; e) reattachment of the temporalis muscle with the bone flap sutures. An ‘inlay’ technique of duraplasty is also described.

These simple modifications of craniotomy provide better basal exposure and reconstruction with little additional operating time at no additional cost.